Tire repair kits ?????

[chunt]

When I was working in a service station (1957-1961), we had a tubeless repair kit that was superior to anything on the market today. I have been looking for something like it for years without any luck. The plug came compressed in a sleeve. The sleeve was inserted into the tire and the tool had a little crank that removed the sleeve leaving the plug in the tire. It was simple and so easy to use.

 

[antonmnster]

I just used two of them, one on each of my cars. Works really well, seals fine. Haven't gone over 100 mph on either yet, so time will tell.

 

[Excel]

safety seal is great for me
the china kits usually break at the handle but are def good in a pinch

 

[JTK]

Originally Posted By: spk2000
How can a patch on the inside be better. Water can still reach the steel belts and rust them quite quickly. Plug from the outside does not allow water to get to the steel belts. I definitely agree with the metal tools as I have broken the cheaper ones and risk of injury is not worth the repair cost.


The tires I've had "professionally patched", they used what looked like a combo patch/plug. The actual hole in the tire is sealed. The shops that do this in my area charge about $30 to do it. Not horrible given they do dismount the tire, re-balance, etc.

Other shops ram a plug in there and re-inflate provided you didn't dive in with it flat. $15 for that.

 

[Whimsey]

Originally Posted By: JTK
The tires I've had "professionally patched", they used what looked like a combo patch/plug. The actual hole in the tire is sealed. The shops that do this in my area charge about $30 to do it. Not horrible given they do dismount the tire, re-balance, etc.

Other shops ram a plug in there and re-inflate provided you didn't dive in with it flat. $15 for that.


Some years ago we picked up a screw in my Contour's tire while on vacation. Found a Firestone tire shop which used the combo patch/plug and the tire held up fine for years afterwards. I believe the cost was similar to your experience, about $30.

Whimsey

 

[ZZman]

I just go to Discount Tire as they fix them free of charge.

 

[SeaJay]

My tire shop that has been opened for several generations used a plug for my last flat. It lasted another 20,000 miles until the tread wear required a new set of tires. I wouldn't be surprised if they are still using plugs.

 

[JHZR2]

If a tire went flat and was run-on for any distance, it’s likely toast. They get really hot and really chewed up, really fast.

If you see a nail, caught it before pressure went too low, and plugged it, I don’t see the issue. Id personally only run it on the rear from that point though.

If the tires were sufficiently new, I’d want the right patch plug. I carry a plug kit in my two cars that don’t have spares. They also have a slime inflator kit just in case.

Like anything, this is a case by case matter. Often a nail puncture will hold air just fine and give time to do a legit repair. The only reason not to, IMO, is because you're swapping tires very soon.

I’m not convinced that a patch plug prevents corrosion better than a plug itself. I’m not seeing how it’s the case. Id consider any repaired tire to be compromised, regardless.

But that doesn’t mean you cant drive on it prudently for a long time.

 

[nobb]

For everyone talking about patch + corrosion, what shops should do is first plug it, then trim the excess and patch the inside.